On June 1st, the deputy of Saint-Barthélemy and Saint-Martin awarded Mrs. Fleming with the medal of the National Assembly. She received Mr. Gibbs in the presence of her relatives.
"It is with a sincere emotion that I stand before you this morning. For the young Member of Parliament that I am, a medal ceremony is always a special moment - solemn certainly - but also a moment during which many emotions comes to surface, including the opportunity to recall the personal journey of the concerned. And your journey, Madam, invites to the greatest humility and to great respect," said Daniel Gibbs. The MP of Saint-Barthélemy and Saint-Martin was accompanied by 2 elected from Union for Democracy in the persons of Annette Philips and Maud Ascent-Gibs. Mrs. Fleming Hodge received them at her home in the presence of her son, the Senator of St. Martin, his children and grandchildren. "Good manners commends to be silent on the age of a lady, but when this makes you today the witness and privileged actor of close to a century of Saint Martin's history, I have to acknowledge the fact: It would take me a great deal of time to retrace your life in all its fullness. Allow me to briefly recall some of its highlights, such as, on a professional level, your energy in the development of representing large companies such as Air France, of course, but also Ford Motor Company or Texaco Caribbean LTD among others on Saint-Martin. On a human level as well, I want to emphasize on your investment for our community, which led you to be founder of the SKAL Club or the Red Cross of French St. Martin, I also have to mention the numerous land donations you made to our Community. "Daniel Gibbs then presented the medal to Mrs. Fleming Hodge.
"The Order of Agricultural Merit, The National Order of Merit, St. Martin Business Wall of Fame ... I will end here the long list of honors and decorations that you have been honoured with, Madam, to pay a tribute to your success as Head of visionary businesses or as a human with a great heart. Permit me to add today my decoration to these honors, thank you very formally on behalf of Saint-Martin and of the Saint-Martin people, for the example, you give us all, thank you for your humility, thank you for all that you have contributed to this Island" concluded the deputy of Saint-Barthélemy and Saint-Martin. An early ceremony that ended with a friendly snack.
